Interviewing Tenant Cris Simmons

[In continuation with our Meet the Faces of JGG series done by previous JGG intern, Ava Barsoom, we are excited to introduce Cris Simmons!]?

In December 2021, I had the pleasure of interviewing Cris Simmons, another Williamsburg Jamestown Airport tenant. While I was interviewing Cris, I learned how he got into flying and what has made his time at the airport enjoyable.? Cris helped me learn more about the different paths to take in aviation as well as what path worked for him. Coming from Mathews County, VA, Cris’s own aspirations to be a pilot guided him through Navy military aviation, then the commercial airlines and now back to Williamsburg Jamestown Airport.??

How long have you been a pilot??

“Growing up in the 60’s and 70's there was a lot of space exploration underway, military flying and even commercial airlines were in their glory days”, says Simmons. Simmons found himself with his godfather on his first flight at just 12 years old, a flight that began an incredible interest and passion. Soon after his passion for flying turned into obsession and lit the spark that ignited 48 years of his flying career.?

Can you share more about your almost five decades of career flying??

“I quickly learned early on that flight training was expensive and I didn’t have the finances to pay for it. However, the military did, and it looked like a lot of military pilots eventually got airline jobs.” Cris talked about how he is from a Navy family, and with a strong Naval presence here in Virginia, it was a natural progression to go Navy for flight training. “I did more than I ever dreamed of in the Navy. I got to fly the S3 Viking, A7 Corsair and F-14 Tomcat, and maybe more importantly, the training is really second to none.” Cris served 13 ? years on Active Duty, and then 7 ? in the Unites States Navy Reserve before switching to commercial aviation.??

Can you tell me about your switch from Active Duty to the United States Navy Reserve??

“Eventually, the Navy just required too much time away from the family so that was the decision point for me.” Cris chose to fly for UPS, eventually becoming Captain and was a Check Pilot, flying the Boeing 757 and 767. He amassed more than 20,000 hours of total flying before retiring. Reflecting on UPS “...one of the most important lessons I relearned in that transition from the military was how equally important and competent most pilots are. I showed up to UPS feeling pretty hot-to-trot off being a Navy pilot but was quickly reminded how important the mix and diversity of experience is to aviation—especially non-military aviators who grow up in general and commercial aviation. It was really special to fly with all sorts of backgrounds, but that’s one of the great things about flying…each day there is something new, either the runway, the weather, the airport or the people. It’s just a lot of fun.”?

Well, now that you’re back to JGG and general aviation, what type of plane do you have here??

“I have a BE58. It’s a Beechcraft Baron, 6-seat, twin engine airplane.”?

What made you choose JGG for your general aviation home??

“The airport is incredibly unique,” says Simmons. “Being at the airport, we all have a shared interest, and it creates a sense of community and makes being here fun and relaxed. It’s not overly commercialized, there’s a sense of community here, and a natural way to give back to aviation in this smaller environment. For me, this is about a 20-minute drive from my front door to my hangar. There are other airports nearby with services and facilities that give more flexibility to flying. But this is where it started for me.” Cris started his flying career at JGG in 1973, and was a tenant then for three years, but now coming back and being able to continue to make memories here is a big factor in staying here. One of his favorite memories was his first solo flight at JGG where, in a flight ritual, a piece of his shirt was cut in recognition of his newfound aviator freedom. He says that unforgettable moment gives a nostalgia that other local airports can’t provide.??

Any advice to someone interested in becoming a pilot or becoming a part of aviation “Treat every flight like it’s the most important one,” says Simmons. As a pilot, carrying a thick skin, never hesitating to ask questions, and truly willing to do the work it takes, will always keep you sharp.??

It was great for me to hear Cris’s journey and advice. And I’m excited to have the opportunity to go fly with him in a few days! There’s a lot of ways for me to consider having a career in aviation. And I also know JGG is happy to have Cris back in the family.???

[Since the completion of this interview, Cris has achieved over 50 years of actively flying and continues to fly his Baron out of JGG, most often to visit his kids and grandkids.]?